The laundry sloshes as I write, washing away the grime of travel.
Putting away the stuff brought along or accumulated during three weeks away takes little effort; unpacking lessons, significant moments takes time.
As is my habit, I brought along books to read and leave behind, like breadcrumbs for thought.
Real books.
I’m old.
A small booklet, I’d brought along, Blessed are the Peacemakers by Wendell Berry remained unread until my flight from Dublin to Boston on Sunday. It slipped easily into my purse, something to ponder besides where’s the nearest restroom, what’s for lunch or is it me or are these seats getting smaller ?
Berry’s book focuses on Christ’s teachings in the four Gospels on love, compassion and forgiveness. He poses uncomfortable questions,”If you had been living in Jesus’s time and had heard His teachings, would you have been one of His followers?”
As for the story of the Good Samaritan (Jews and Samaritans were enemies), Berry updates the parable by suggesting,”…substitute any other pair of enemies: fundamentalist Christian and fundamentalist Muslim, Palestinian and Israeli, captor and prisoner, then ask, “Who is my neighbor?”
Berry’s answer and Christ’s challenge, “Your neighbor is any sufferer who needs your help.”
So much unpacking still to do.
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A lovely contemplation, still thinking about it.
welcome home!
You give me more to unpack–thanks!
Continue unpacking, Jan, the contents of your thoughts are of great value to the rest of us.
Thank you Jan for this piece. Andrew and I just moved back to the area and we are still unpacking, as you can imagine! It’s always nice to share experiences with those around us. Thank you for your thoughts on who our neighbors are, regardless of our beliefs.